Virgin of the Incarnation

The Virgin of the Incarnation is a rare image not often encountered in Old Russian art. Instead of raising her hands in prayer, Mary lets her arms drop beneath her head-veil (maforia). Christ’s hands are also covered. This composition personifies the Old Testament prophecies of the incarnation of the Logos. Like icons of the Enthroned Virgin, images of the Virgin of the Incarnation were placed in the centre of the prophet tier of the iconostasis.